• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Butter & Baggage logo
  • Recipe Search
    • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Breads & Biscuits
    • Breakfast
      • Muffins
    • Casseroles
    • Desserts
      • Bars
      • Brownies
      • Cakes & Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Fruit Desserts
      • Pies, Cobblers & Crisps
    • Main Dishes
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Pork
      • Seafood
    • Pasta
      • Mac and Cheese
    • Salads
    • Sauces & Dips
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups & Chilis
  • Shop
  • My Favorites
  • Kitchen Hacks
  • About
    • Editorial Policies
    • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Search
  • Recipe Index
  • Kitchen Hacks
  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Editorial Policies
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » MSN Slideshows

    18 Salads That Feel Like a Meal—No Grilling Required

    Published: Jun 9, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    Sometimes a salad needs to do a little more work, you know? These salads feel like a real meal—full of good stuff like veggies, protein, and big flavors. They’re perfect for when you want something easy but still satisfying, whether it’s lunch, dinner, or just something to bring along. Honestly, they’re the kind of salads that stick with you.

    Greek Cucumber Salad With Lemon Dressing

    A bowl of Greek salad with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese on a white surface—perfect for spring recipes. Small bowls of olives and feta are nearby.
    Greek Cucumber Salad With Lemon Dressing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    Looking for a quick and flavorful salad recipe? Try our Greek Salad with refreshing cucumbers and zesty lemon dressing. Perfect for a light and satisfying meal.
    Get the Recipe: Greek Cucumber Salad With Lemon Dressing

    Zucchini Pasta Salad With Balsamic Vinegar

    Zucchini noodles with cherry tomatoes on a white platter with a wooden spoon
    Zucchini Pasta Salad With Balsamic Vinegar. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

    FREE EMAIL BONUS: Southern staples made simply & cozy

    Pull out the spiralizer and make a refreshing Zucchini Salad with Balsamic Vinegar with cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and zoodles.
    Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pasta Salad With Balsamic Vinegar

    Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese

    A pea salad with cheddar cheese in a serving bowl.
    Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This green pea salad is a Southern favorite that comes together in one bowl. Easy to make ahead, it’s flavorful with a touch of a spicy kick.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese

    Summer Pasta Salad With Fresh Peaches

    A pasta salad with peaches, corn and tomatoes in a serving bowl.
    Summer Pasta Salad With Fresh Peaches. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This refreshing summer salad is made with fresh peach slices, sweet corn, juicy grape tomatoes, pine nuts, and your favorite pasta. It’s one of my go-to cold pasta dishes to beat the heat.
    Get the Recipe: Summer Pasta Salad With Fresh Peaches

    Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette

    A platter of green bean and potato salad.
    Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Full of fresh summer flavors, this cold green bean salad recipe adds in tender new potatoes for a refreshing take on a classic summer meal.
    Get the Recipe: Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette

    Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad

    Ranch pasta salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon.
    Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    With all the classic flavors of creamy ranch dressing, salty bacon, and cheddar cheese, this ranch pasta salad is a refreshing crowd pleaser, the perfect summer potluck food.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad

    Classic 7 Layer Salad

    A bowl of seven layer salad next to individual servings.
    Classic 7 Layer Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    With its gorgeous rows of colors and bright flavors, this classic Southern seven-layer salad is the perfect make-ahead dish for Memorial Day. Served in a clear glass bowl that showcases all the beautiful colors.
    Get the Recipe: Classic 7 Layer Salad

    Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts

    A side dish of pesto pasta next to fresh parsley.
    Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This easy parsley pesto pasta salad with walnuts is a great summertime salad and incredibly simple to make for any occasion.
    Get the Recipe: Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts

    No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon

    Parsley being sprinkled over warm potato salad
    No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This warm Roasted Potato Salad is not only great for your next potluck or cook out, but it’s perfect for a simple dinner.
    Get the Recipe: No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon

    Cold Lemon Orzo Salad With Shrimp

    A large bowl of shrimp orzo salad.
    Cold Lemon Orzo Salad With Shrimp. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This cold lemon orzo salad recipe effortlessly marries shrimp, citrus, garlic, and fragrant basil for a quick and easy summer dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Cold Lemon Orzo Salad With Shrimp

    Avocado Corn Salad

    A bowl of colorful corn salad with diced avocado, red onion, red bell pepper, cilantro, and fresh corn kernels.
    Avocado Corn Salad. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

    This fresh corn and avocado salad recipe is perfect for summer. A delightful lime dressing adds zip and the avocado a lovely creaminess.
    Get the Recipe: Avocado Corn Salad

    Classic Southern Macaroni Salad

    Classic Southern Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Classic Southern Macaroni Salad is a summertime comfort food, which is great if you’re craving Southern flavors this summer.
    Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Macaroni Salad

    Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto

    Delicious pesto pasta salad with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes in a glass bowl.
    Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Easy to make basil pesto pasta salad with bow tie pasta is a flavorful, colorful side that’s great for summer picnics or cookouts. It’s one of my favorite easy pasta salad recipes.
    Get the Recipe: Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto

    Festive Mexican Rice Salad

    A bowl of southwestern-style rice salad with black beans, corn, and chopped red, yellow, and green bell peppers, placed on a white surface next to a fork and spoon.
    Festive Mexican Rice Salad. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    This colorful rice salad is bursting with bold Tex-Mex flavor and fresh vegetables. It’s a great make-ahead dinner for summer nights.
    Get the Recipe: Festive Mexican Rice Salad

    Chilled Shrimp Salad

    An avocado filled with shrimp salad inside.
    Chilled Shrimp Salad. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    This creamy shrimp salad makes a refreshing light dinner with a punch of protein. It’s quick to prep and delicious served over lettuce or tucked in a roll.
    Get the Recipe: Chilled Shrimp Salad

    Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad With Pepperoncini Peppers

    A serving bowl of antipasto salad.
    Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad With Pepperoncini Peppers. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This irresistible antipasto pasta salad is EASY to make with a simple homemade dressing, an Italian inspired pasta that’s great for summertime.
    Get the Recipe: Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad With Pepperoncini Peppers

    Chicken Salad With Grapes

    A bowl of chicken salad with pieces of chicken, red grapes, chopped celery, and a creamy dressing, served in a white dish on a wooden table.
    Chicken Salad With Grapes. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Sweet grapes and crunchy celery add contrast to this creamy chicken salad. It’s a classic choice for hearty summer salads that don’t require the oven.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken Salad With Grapes

    Sesame Noodle Salad

    A bowl of stir-fried noodles with colorful vegetables, topped with crumbled uncooked instant ramen noodles.
    Sesame Noodle Salad. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    Bold sesame flavor and chewy noodles make this salad a favorite for flavor lovers. It’s perfect when you want cold dinner ideas that pack a punch.
    Get the Recipe: Sesame Noodle Salad

    Explore Recipes

    MSN Slideshows
    « If You Have a Crockpot, Make These 16 Lazy Summer Meals Tonight
    Grill Once, Eat All Week: 11 Recipes That Pull Double Duty »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

    More about me →

    Subscribe

    Spring Sides

    • A wooden spoon with a serving of macaroni salad.
      Creamy Southern Macaroni Salad with Cheese
    • A plate of green bean salad with potatoes next to salmon.
      Green Beans and New Potato Salad with Honey Vinaigrette
    • A basket of yeast dinner rolls.
      Old-Fashioned Yeast Rolls with a Modern, Foolproof Method
    • Cornbread corn pudding with a serving spoon in a casserole dish.
      Custardy Cornbread Pudding Casserole

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Our All-Star Recipes

    • A round baking dish of mac and cheese with a serving spoon.
      Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese
    • A skillet of charred corn with a wooden spoon.
      Skillet Charred Corn with Bacon and Cream
    • A serving spoon of ground beef potato casserole.
      Hamburger Potato Casserole Without Canned Soup
    • A serving spoon of baked beans with hamburger.
      Southern Baked Beans with Ground Beef
    • A baked chicken tamale pie.
      Baked Chicken Tamale Pie Casserole with A Cornbread Crust
    • Square biscuits in a bowl with coffee cups.
      Square Buttermilk Biscuits (Tall & Flaky)

    COPYRIGHT © 2026 BUTTER & BAGGAGE | PRIVACY POLICY | WEB STORIES
    BRANDING & CUSTOMIZATION BY GRACE + VINE STUDIOS

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required